Family Planning experts in Nigeria have revealed that the frequency at which mothers give birth uncontrolled, has given rise to the current societal vices in the country.
They also said that the situation has hugely contributed to the population challenge that the nation has been unable to surmount as people continue to bear the number of children they could not carter for.
They believe that societal vices like prostitution, armed robbery, cultism, and the associated vices could be prevented should parents give birth to the number of children they can carter for, even as it has made it difficult for the nation to address the population challenge.
The FP experts said that adopting the childbirth spacing method would ensure healthy and productive motherhood in Nigeria.
They revealed these when the Advocacy Core Group decorated Hauwa Musa, as FP Champion at the Sarkin Arewa Palace, Cable Point Asaba, Delta, and called.on couples to embrace Modern Child Birth Spacing Methods.
Patience Eke, Assistant Reproductive Health Coordinator in Delta, said it has become imperative for couples to adopt child spacing methods to address the country’s population challenge.
According to Eke, societal vices like armed robbery, prostitution, and cultism can be prevented if parents have the number of children they can cater for.
“There is a need for men’s involvement in childbirth spacing as it would help women who bear the risk of frequent childbearing to remain healthy and productive in the family.
“The decision to take up family planning methods should be between couples”.
Nwanne Kalu, State Lead, The Challenge Initiative (TCI), said the need for decorating Family Planning champions was to raise voices in support of Family Planning.
She said that a lot of rumours and misconceptions exist in society against Family Planning which can be corrected when influential people speak in favour of it.
“When some people hear of Family Planning they think it is to restrict or limit the number of children.
“Family planning is broad. It preaches childbirth spacing; that is, allowing the woman’s body to rest for some time after giving birth.
“Family Planning has lots of benefits to everyone in the society,” Kalu said.
Rachael Obodo-Obunseli, the Advocacy Core Group Chairperson, said the group chooses Hauwa Musa as Family Planning Champion in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the welfare and development of women and children.
She said the group through the support of TCI has been able to recognise and decorate Five other champions in the state who are currently canvassing for the uptake of modern family planning methods by couples.
Responding, Hajia Musa, said she was delighted to be decorated as family planning champion.
She said that the investiture was an additional call on her to do more mostly in preaching among the gains of Family Planning, adding that the importance of FP cannot be overemphasized.
